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Understanding Stimming

Cat_lover

Hello, I’m new here, so apologies if I’m doing this wrong. Recently diagnosed so still on the journey. Trying to make sense of what stimming means. I’m a teacher and I see lots of children spinning, rocking, flapping etc. However for me, it includes other stuff. When I was young I would repeatedly touch things that I didn’t like the feel of. I don’t know why I did this. I would touch and lick the carpet or the settee, despite hating the texture. I would also constantly toss things in the air like pencils, and watch with fascination as they spun in the air. I’ve had loads of motor tics throughout my life - are they also stims or is this something different? At the moment if I’m feeling anxious or worried I pull my lower eyelid down. Once the air hits it it feels cold and I get a sense of relief and feel calmer. Is this a stim?

Parents

  • I've recently been thinking about stimming and I think the simplest way to put it is, stimming is anything that uses sensory feedback to express or regulate emotions.  There are the noticeable ones that have become the stereotype like you mentioned, but there are as many stims as there are people.  I like pressure stims- crossing my legs tightly or tucking my fingers in; I like visual stims like sparkles and glowing things and liquid timers.  I fidget a lot. I tap and pinch my lip.  I flap after stressful situations to spend some adrenaline and revover.

  • in reply to Glitter

    Yes, Stimming can be anything that helps or feeds the desire. I find vivid colours fascinating, whoever designed the NAS logo got it so right with the colours, I can watch a sand timer and just find it mesmerising. I said in an earlier reply that I notice my wife stims, she never realises that she does it. She goes dog walking with a village group, she came home this morning after a walk and explained that she walks behind them now as all the conversation is inane and boring, “ they never say anything that interests me, they are too noisy and boring” She explained that she would rather be in the woods with no humans, the dog is company enough. I think there is hope for her yet, I never realised why we are so the same.

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  • in reply to Glitter

    Yes, Stimming can be anything that helps or feeds the desire. I find vivid colours fascinating, whoever designed the NAS logo got it so right with the colours, I can watch a sand timer and just find it mesmerising. I said in an earlier reply that I notice my wife stims, she never realises that she does it. She goes dog walking with a village group, she came home this morning after a walk and explained that she walks behind them now as all the conversation is inane and boring, “ they never say anything that interests me, they are too noisy and boring” She explained that she would rather be in the woods with no humans, the dog is company enough. I think there is hope for her yet, I never realised why we are so the same.

Children
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